As American society becomes increasingly diverse and public issues more
complex, the traditional community problem-solving methods have come up
short. Working together successfully today requires a profound shift in
our conception of how change is created, and an equally profound shift
in our conception of leadership. Collaborative Leadership is designed to
help citizens and civic leaders bring together diverse community
members in efforts that lead to real, measurable change in the lives of
communities. Drawing on their extensive research - which included six
in-depth case studies and forty-six additional studies of successful
community collaborations - and on advice and guidance of the leading
scholars and practitioners in the field. David D. Chrislip and Carl E.
Larson provide insight and answers to the major challenges facing
communities today. They tell how to deal with complex issues, engage
frustrated and angry citizens and, generate the civic will to break
through legislative and bureaucratic gridlock. The authors describe how
to design, initiate and sustain a constructive collaborative process.
And they show that the leaders who are most effective in addressing
public issues are those who have the credibility to bring together the
right people to create visions and solve problems. This book explains
the specific leadership strategies crucial to effective collaboration.
It shows how citizens and civic leaders can set up collaborative
initiatives for success, create a constituency for change, promote and
sustain collaboration and get results by working together. Collaborative
Leadership tells how citizens and civic leaders can make a difference
in addressing the most pressingpublic challenges in their communities.
